Knowledge management within IT virtual global team projects: A grounded theory study.

摘要

This qualitative grounded theory research study explored how global IT project managers access, sort, manage, and share knowledge information for IT global projects. The problem was that global virtual IT project managers lack effective knowledge management processes, preventing the project managers from harnessing relevant corporate information to support global IT projects. The primary research question was what current processes do IT virtual global project managers follow in their organization to access, retrieve, sort, manage, and share knowledge information for IT virtual global projects. The data collection process consisted of interviewing 17 participants and a total of ten open ended interview questions using WebEx video conference calls. The data analysis coding process was captured in an ExcelRTM spreadsheet. First, open codes were generated after reviewing and grouping ideas into categories. The open codes, axial codes, and selective codes helped identify the research study themes. The seven themes identified from the participants interviews were: (a) use of collaboration tools, (b) repeatable quality standard methodology framework processes, (c) well defined, clear, and transparent communication plans, (d) executive leadership teams committed to implementing innovative technologies in a secure platform, (e) global organizational culture that align with the vision of integrating KM processes into the PMO framework, (f) global project team performance, and (g) integration of KM processes and tools into the PMO framework. The research study concluded with the implications of the themes, an emergent theoretical model, and recommendations for leaders, practitioners, and future research.